A recent article on money.msn states that the average spent on prom this year is $1,078 per couple.
http://money.msn.com/frugal-living/post.aspx?post=8959076a-4791-4e39-b6ca-2ab4e8cb5114
The msn article says that it is not necessary to spend that much. Hmmm? Ya think?
When my daughter heard about Duct Tape prom dresses a couple of years ago, she thought it would be cool to make and wear one to the prom. She sketched a design that she thought was beautiful and flattering to her figure and the two of us set about constructing her dream dress.
It was not without obstacles and set-backs. For example, there are a couple different ways to create the fabric. First, we bought a slinky dress at Goodwill for $2.00 and added the Duct Tape to the dress while she was wearing it.
The back was to have an elaborate lattice-work, that proved to be a construction nightmare.
So, that version was scraped, more Duct Tape was purchased and a partially refined construction method was used. The top portion of the dress was created by adding the Duct Tape to an already owned T-shirt, then the T-shirt was removed and a Duct Tape lining was placed inside. The skirt was made by creating a sheet of Duct Tape material using over lapping strips vertically and then backed with over lapping strips horizontally. This was attached to the top with Duct Tape. As the dress was form-fitting, and both our openers (zipper, closed loop tape) had failed, the day of the prom, we taped her into the dress and after the dance, she cut herself out of it.
Everyone who has heard about the dress has been excited, asking to see photos. The staff of florist shop where the happy couple purchased their flowers, got into the spirit of things and added zebra striped Duct Tape “leaves” to their boudinere and corsage. (Sorry, no photo of that.)
Here is a photo of the couple before they headed out for dinner.
Notice that the young man has a Duct Tape suit and tie. His was constructed by adding Duct tape over a suit coat and a pair of already owned jeans.
Here’s what I spent:
Duct Tape $26.00
Goodwill shoes $3.00 (darling daughter added the leg straps…with Duct Tape, of course)
Goodwill dress $2.00 (part of version 1.0 that was scrapped)
Goodwill tie $1.00 (also, decorated with Duct Tape)
Boudinere $6.00
After prom party at the school $30.00
My cost total $68.00
I estimated my daughter’s date’s expenses:
Duct Tape for his suit $26.00
Goodwill coat $3.00
Corsage $10.00
After prom party at school $30.00
Dinner for the two of them at a local restaurant $45.00 (including tip)
Date’s total cost $114.00
Total prom cost for the couple: $182.00
Plus the whole process of creating the dress was just fun.
My daughter’s choker was also made with Duct tape, her earings were a pair she already owned. I styled her hair.